Dianthus plant named ‘WP11 TYR04’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dianthus  plant named ‘WP11 TYR04’ which is characterized by a compact mounding habit, blue-green foliage, fragrant single flowers that are strongly patterned cherry red with white-pink markings and a deep cherry eye, and ruffled petal edges. In combination, these characteristics set ‘WP11 TYR04’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dianthus  known to the inventor.

Genus: Dianthus.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘WP11 TYR04’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f) of the earlier application for European Community Plant Variety Rights which was filed for the instant plant variety on Feb. 3, 2012, Application Number 2012/0271.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hardy garden pink, that is grown for use as a flowering plant for pots and containers and for planting in the garden and landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Dianthus×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘WP11 TYR04’.

‘WP11 TYR04’ is a complex hybrid plant that is the product of a long term breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The inventor selected ‘WP11TYR04’ in 2004 for its strongly patterned cherry red, white-pink single flowers with a deep cherry eye, ruffled petal edges, moderate fragrance and blue-green foliage.

‘WP11 TYR04’ arose and was selected as a seedling which resulted from the open pollination of an existing selection of Dianthus from the inventor's breeding program, namely Dianthus code name ‘Zora’ (unpatented and unreleased) as the female parent plant, by an unknown selection from the breeding program as male parent plant. The male parent was growing within the inventor's stock of breeding lines.

‘WP11 TYR04’ is distinguishable from the female parent as follows: Whereas the flower of ‘WP11 TYR04’is single and strongly patterned cherry red, white-pink with a deep cherry eye, the flower of ‘Zora’ is semi-double and shell pink in color. The flowers of ‘Zora’ are smaller than the flowers of ‘WP11 TYR04’. In addition, the foliage of the ‘Zora’ is green in color, whereas the foliage of ‘WP11 TYR04’ is blue-green in color.

The identity of the male parent is unknown and therefore a comparison is not possible.

The variety of Dianthus which is considered by the inventor to most closely resemble ‘WP11 TYR04’ is the inventor's variety Dianthus ‘Starburst’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,162). The flowers of ‘Starburst’ have a similar blotching pattern on their petals, but the patterns and colors are different. ‘WP11 TYR04’ has a radiating pattern of white-pink on a background of cherry red with pronounced white stamens. ‘Starburst’ has a more subdued pattern of pink-white on a background of cherry red with distinctive pointed petals and the stamens are covered by the petals. Additionally the flowers of ‘Starburst’ are semi to fully double, while ‘WP11 TYR04’ bears single blooms with ruffled petal edges.

Asexual reproduction of ‘WP11 TYR04’ was first accomplished by the inventor in 2004 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, United Kingdom. The method of asexual propagation used was vegetative cuttings. The inventor has determined that ‘WP11 TYR04’ is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new Dianthus cultivar ‘WP11 TYR04’. These traits in combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor. ‘WP11 TYR04’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits a compact mounding habit.     -   2. ‘WP11 TYR04’ bears single flowers that are cherry red with         white-pink markings and a deep cherry eye.     -   3. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits petals that are deeply ruffled.     -   4. ‘WP11 TYR04’ blooms from Mid-April through October.     -   5. The flowers of ‘WP11 TYR04’ are moderately fragrant     -   6. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits glaucous, blue-green foliage.     -   7. At maturity, the height of the foliage mound of ‘WP11 TYR04’         is 20 cm, and the width is 22 cm.     -   8. ‘WP11 TYR04’ is perennial and is hardy at least to −15° C.     -   9. ‘WP11 TYR04’ is suitable for use as a flowering plant in pots         and containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dianthus variety ‘WP11 TYR04’ showing colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘WP11 TYR04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an entire flowering plant of ‘WP11 TYR04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower of ‘WP11 TYR04’.

All drawings were made from 9 months old plants which have been grown in 1.5-litre containers in a cold glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘WP11 TYR04’. Data was collected from plants grown in 1.5-litre containers under an unheated glasshouse in Houndspool, United Kingdom in July. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2001 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. Growing conditions are typical to other Dianthus.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus ‘WP11 TYR04’. -   Species: ×hybrida L. -   Common name: Garden pink. -   Commercial classification: Dianthus hybrid. -   Type: Perennial. -   Use: Used as a flowering plant for pots, containers and planting in     the garden or landscape. -   Parentage: ‘WP11 TYR04’ is a complex hybrid plant that resulted from     the open pollination of Dianthus seedlings.     -   -   Female parent plant.—Dianthus ‘Zora’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent plant.—Unknown. -   Plant description:     -   -   Bloom period.—Mid-April to October.         -   Plant habit.—Compact mounding habit.         -   Plant height.—20 cm in overall height, including flower             canopy.         -   Plant width.—22 cm in width.         -   Plant hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.         -   Root system.—Fine fibrous roots.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             stem cuttings.         -   Cultural requirements.—Plant in full sun, well-drained and             moderately fertile soil and keep well fertilized and             watered.         -   Diseases and pests.—No particular resistance or             susceptibility to known Dianthus pests and diseases are             known to the inventor.         -   Time to root cuttings.—10-14 days are required to produce             roots on a vegetative cutting at the recommended             temperatures.         -   Recommended temperature for rooting.—A minimum of 15° C. air             temperature and 21° C. base temperature at root level is             required to produce roots on the cuttings.         -   Facilities for rooting.—Mist propagation unit is required             for satisfactory rooting of cuttings.         -   Crop time (from planting a rooted cutting).—3 months             starting in the Spring and 6 months starting in the Fall.         -   Plant stem.—Shape: Cylindrical. Stem dimension: 6 cm in             length and 2 mm in diameter. Stem surface: Glabrous and             glaucous. Stem color: 145C. Branching: Numerous shoots from             the axils of the lower leaves.         -   Leaf.—Type: Evergreen. Shape: Linear, straight. Division:             Simple. Apex: Acute. Base: Decurrent. Venation: Not             prominent. Margins: Entire. Attachment: Sheathing.             Arrangement: Opposite and spiraling up stem. Surfaces             (adaxial and abaxial): Glaucous. Stipules: Absent.             Fragrance: Absent. Leaf dimensions: 4 to 5 cm in length and             4 mm in width. Leaf color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces):             Ranges from 189A to 189B.         -   Flower stem.—Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions: 13 cm in length             (from top of the flower to lower of the 3rd internode), 1.5             mm in width. Color: 188A. Surface: Glabrous and glaucous.             Strength: Stiff. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Dimensions (including calyx).—25 mm in length and 35 mm in             diameter.         -   Color.—188A.         -   Surface.—Glabrous and glaucous.         -   Strength.—Stiff. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Cymose.         -   Number of flowers per stem.—1-4.         -   Flower type.—Salviform and symmetrical.         -   Flower shape.—Circular.         -   Flower profile.—Reflexed.         -   Lastingness.—10 days at 20° C., on the plant.         -   Fragrance.—Moderate, floral.         -   Flowering period.—Mid-April to October in Devon, UK.         -   Bud (when first cracking color).—Shape: Cylindrical.             Dimensions: 18 mm in length and 5 mm in width. Color: N138C             and N138D towards apex, 139D towards base. Anthocyanin:             Absent.         -   Corolla.—Profile: Flat. Petal arrangement: Persistent,             apopetalous, and slightly overlapping. Petal margin:             Crenate-dentate. Indentations: Depth varies between 1 mm and             3 mm. Petal texture: Soft. Flower type: Single. Petal             number: 5. Dimensions: 38 mm in length, 20 mm in width.             Petal shape: Obdeltoid consisting of rounded blade and             tapering strap. Petal surface: Smooth, except base lightly             pubescent. Petal apex: Rounded. Petal base: Truncate, petal             tapers towards base. Petal color pattern: Symmetrical             picotee; pairs of light pink “blotches” within dark magenta             background. Color of adaxial surface (petal newly-opened):             Blade ground: Ranges between 59A and 61A. Blade blotches:             73A. Strap: Ranges between 145C and 145D. Color of abaxial             surface (petal newly-opened): Blade: White but translucent             such that colors of adaxial surface are visible. Strap:             Ranges between 145C and 145D.         -   Calyx.—Calyx shape: Cylindrical. Calyx dimensions: 19 mm in             depth and 5 mm in diameter. Number of sepals: 5, fused to 3             mm below apex. Sepal apex: Acuminate. Sepal base: Cuneate.             Sepal dimensions: 19 mm in length and 4 mm in width. Color             of sepals, adaxial surface: 137B and 137C, fading to 144A at             base. Color of sepals, abaxial surface: 145B. Anthocyanin:             Present at apex and occasionally on sepal base. Splitting:             Not observed.         -   Epicalyx.—Bracts: 1 pair of 2. Bracts shape: Acuminate.             Bracts dimensions: 10 mm in length and 5 mm in width. Bracts             color: Range between 133A and 133C. Anthocyanin: Absent.         -   Bracteoles.—Number: 1 pair of 2. Dimensions: 10 mm in length             and 8 mm in width. Shape: Acute. Color: Range between 133A             and 133C. Anthocyanin: Absent.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Number: 10. Dimensions: 25 mm             length and 0.5 mm diameter.         -   Color of filaments.—White.         -   Anther number.—10.         -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm length and 0.5 mm in diameter.         -   Color of anthers.—76A.         -   Anther attachment.—Dorsifixed.         -   Pollen.—Present.         -   Style number.—2.         -   Style color.—White.         -   Style dimensions (including stigma).—25 mm in length and 1             mm in diameter.         -   Stigma dimensions.—10 mm in length, bifid, reflexed.         -   Stigma color.—71A.         -   Ovary position.—Superior.         -   Ovary dimensions.—7-8 mm in length and 3-4 mm in diameter.         -   Ovary shape.—Spindle.         -   Ovary color.—145B and 145C. -   Seed:     -   -   Number.—50-100.         -   Dimensions.—3 mm in length and 2 mm in width.         -   Color.—202A.         -   Shape.—Oval and flattened.         -   Surface.—Crinkled. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘WP11 TYR04’ as described and illustrated herein. 